Term Paper on "Technology Enhances Pedagogy"

Term Paper 6 pages (1917 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Technology Enhances Pedagogy

Technology does not replace pedagogy. Technology enhances pedagogy."

The increase in the accessibly and popularity of technological devices and solutions in the world today has led to numerous innovations in all fields and disciplines. This is particularly the case in the area of education and teaching. However, many teachers and educators at all levels are also of the opinion that, while technological innovations can be a great aid to education and enhance the teaching process, yet technology in itself is not capable of replacing the teacher or the process of teaching per se.

As many studies show, the main reason for this view is that technology cannot duplicate the human and interactive element that exists in the reciprocity between teacher and student.

Experts in the field of educational technology believe that the use of information technologies will greatly advance the effectiveness of current teaching methods, resulting in students becoming much more technology-savvy. The computer and the Internet, as well as many related software programs have proven themselves to be an extremely valuable asset in education. This is particularly the case with the e-learning or distance education via networks and the Internet. One report states that, "Information technology, including so-called e-Learning and distance learning via the Web, can be instrumental in helping education systems improve...." (Building a Nation of Learners Key to U.S. Meeting Global Competition....)

There are also an increasing number of student who are taking advantage of information technology and online learning solutions. " During the 1999-2000 school year, about 1.5 million of the 19 million students enrolled in higher education took at least one online course. In 2002, an estimated 84% of four-year institutions offered at least one such course." (Building a Nation of Learners Key to U.S. Meeting Global Competition....)

However, as many experts stress, the teacher cannot be replaced by technology, no matter how innovative. For instance, while there are many technological aids that help with the teaching and learning of subjects like mathematics, yet many educationists warn against assuming that these aids can replace the actual teacher and teaching process. " Technology cannot replace the mathematics teacher, nor can it be used as a replacement for basic understandings and intuitions. The teacher must make prudent decisions about when and how to use technology and should ensure that the technology is enhancing students' mathematical thinking." (the Technology Principle)

The above quotation points to an important fact that in any use of technology in the classroom, the teacher still must direct and make decision within the learning process.

Another factor that makes the teacher indispensable in the use of technology in the classroom is that many schools and educational institutions are still not fully competent in using these new technologies. Therefore the teacher is still, at the very least, a necessary conduit between the technology and the application of that technology by the student.. "...there is no systematic, nationwide plan to show teachers the wealth of instructional materials available by computer and how to use them in their day-to-day teaching. More than 90% of the nation's teachers believe that using the Internet boosts student achievement, but 60% of the teachers want help in using the computer for instructional purposes.

Ferris William R.)

On the other hand, it is equally true that computers and technology offer some extremely useful additions and aids for learning and knowledge acquisition. While, for example, computers cannot replace the close reading, scanning and study of texts especially in the humanities, yet "... computer-accessible teaching aids can support teachers in ways that help students learn and boost their achievement..." (Ferris William R.) report by the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) states that while technology provides a powerful transformational tool, it cannot replace the traditional teacher-student relationship. The report goes on to state that the usefulness of new technologies lies in the way that they extend and enhance the learning process between teacher and student. "... technology innovations such as instant messaging have extended teacher-student interaction far beyond face-to-face consultations. The most successful learning models are those that blend the best of traditional classroom and online technologies to allow the teacher to maximize learning. (Building a Nation of Learners Key to U.S. Meeting Global Competition....)

The importance of technology as an aid in education is evidenced by the number of influential organizations that have been established in order to facilitate and promote the use of technology in education. One of these is the ISTE or the International Society for Technology in Education. ISTE places emphasis on the establishment of a classroom environment and "...preparing the learning opportunities that facilitate students' use of technology to learn, communicate, and develop knowledge products..." (the North Carolina Technology Competencies for Educators: A Focus on Assessment...) the organization stresses the importance of preparing teachers to deal with technology and to enrich their teaching through the use of modern technologies.

The emphasis is on the way that technology can empower students and provide new learning opportunities, for example with regard to new strategies for problem solving.

ISTE also focuses on curriculum development and new ideas of improving education.

Described as the largest teacher-based, nonprofit organization in the educational technology field, the ISTE's official mission is "to promote appropriate uses of information technology to support and improve learning, teaching, and administration at the K12 levels and in teacher education." (Smith S.) the importance of modern technology in the teaching profession and in pedagogy in general is stressed by Steve Ross, editor of the research section of Educational Technology Research and Development at the University of Kentucky. He states that, "In instructional technology, I particularly see a growing need for research on Internet uses and navigation, distance learning, and integrating computer-supported instruction into both classroom teaching and professional training," he says. (Ross S.)

One of the issues that are also noted in the literature is that new technologies can be very advantageous with regard to more effective and improved communications methods. Technologies such as text messaging, online message boards, networking facilities and interactive presentations and tutoring technologies such as Flash, all enhance the leaning environment and lead to the a variety of ways in which the learning process can be advanced.

Possibly one of the most important aspects that modern technology has brought into the educational field is the easy access to a plethora of information sources. The Internet, and the increasing use of broadband technology, has facilitated a wide range of information resources, often of varying quality. There are sources for information on almost any topic for research. However, this extensive range of information is not always a positive factor as there are often sources with dubious and even incorrect data. This factor again places the emphasis and onus on the role of the teacher. It is up to the teacher to guide the student through this mass of data and digital resources. The teacher can train and guide the student's research and steer the learners away from suspect resources. This is once again evidence of the essential role of the teacher in supervising access to technology.

While it is true that the teacher is an essential component in the educational process, the advent of new technologies has also meant that the role of the teacher is changing. As one study states, technology should be seen as an "enabler" for new developments in the educative process.

However, this also means that the importance of technology in the process of changing the roles and relationships in the teaching process cannot be ignored. "The organizational use of technology changes roles and relationships, uses of time and resources, and the availability of support for teachers and students. The new technologies are accelerating fundamental changes in the teacher's role as well as the shape and activities of the classroom." (Sebastian J.) in this sense the teacher's role becomes that as an essential facilitator of learning in a "learner-centered" classroom. "There is less lecturing and more collaborative, cooperative learning, with the passive learner idea disappearing. Students are reaching out beyond the walls of their classrooms to learn from, work with, and share with other learners of all ages and cultures." (Sebastian J.)

In addition the teacher also has to focus on the issue of information literacy. This aspect, as mentioned, is an important facet in that the teacher or educator guides and helps the student to discern which information is applicable and valid. "...with the quantity of information available to students today, teachers must help them learn to analyze and evaluate the quality and suitability of the information they gather." (Sebastian J.)

In conclusion, despite all the changes that technology has brought to educational environment, it is clear from the research and studies that, "Technology does not replace pedagogy. Technology enhances pedagogy." The changing role of the educator in the era of advanced technology solutions in fact places the teacher at the forefront as facilitator and guide in this technological age.

There is little doubt that new technologies are an important and effective aid in… READ MORE

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